[May 15, 1919]

By telephone transmit to Sklyansky and record his exact answer: how to proceed immediately, for the answer is required without delay.¹

1 The directive to the secretary was written by V. I. Lenin on a telegram from G. E. Zinoviev and member of the Revolutionary War Council of the Western Front B. P. Pozern from Petrograd with a proposal to issue from the funds of the Military Commissariat as a benefit to workers mobilized in Petrograd through the line of universal military training, the difference between Red Army pay and the average rate of workers' wages.

2 E. M. Sklyansky, Deputy Chairman of the Revolutionary War Council of the Republic, replied on the back of the telegram: "...it is possible to satisfy, but of course in no case from the Military Commissariat."

# TELEGRAM TO THE VORONEZH AND TAMBOV PROVINCIAL PARTY COMMITTEES
[May 20, 1919]

Tambov, urgent

Report immediately how many Communists have been sent by you to the Southern Front. Any delay will be regarded as a crime against the Republic. Reply immediately.

Lenin,
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars for Defense¹

1 The Tambov provincial military commissar reported that 679 Communists had been sent to the Southern Front and on May 22 would send an additional 200 persons. Having received this report, V. I. Lenin sent a new telegram on May 24 to the Voronezh and Tambov provincial military commissars (see Complete Collected Works, vol. 50, p. 322).

* The telegram was also signed by I. T. Smilga, head of the Political Department of the Revolutionary War Council of the Republic.